The Problem: A Failure of Political Will and Leadership to Invest in Proven Solutions and Innovation for Public Education in America

Millions of children are falling through the cracks of the U.S. education system. The facts are startling:

• One third of America’s children do not graduate from high school - about 1.2 million each year.
• Graduation rates for poor and minority students are even lower.
• Another third graduate but are unprepared for either the modern workplace or higher education.

The social costs for American society are extraordinary. Stagnating incomes and prosperity, proliferation of criminal gangs, black market activities, corresponding rates of delinquency and incarceration of low income and minority youth are all measures of failing schools.

The opportunity costs are immeasurable in terms of the U.S. competitive position and future standing in the global workforce. America can do better. We must.

There is an abundance of research showing clear solutions for providing a great education to all children. Fundamentally the problem is this: a failure of political will and leadership to make education a national priority for public investment and innovation in the U.S.

Policy Solutions: What it Takes to Educate All Children

Education Voters of America is working to address this fundamental problem by building the public demand, expectations, and support for elected leaders to pursue meaningful solutions to the challenge of educating all children in America. Based on best practices for education excellence, our public policy priorities for improving public education are to:

• Invest in recruiting, training, and retaining excellent teachers, who are the single most important school-related factor influencing student success.
• Eliminate educational inequities in funding and supply of quality teachers within and across schools, neighborhoods, districts, and states.
• Invest in the full spectrum of education, from pre-K through postsecondary education.
• Encourage innovation and creativity to address the needs of every child - including the disadvantaged and special needs children.
• Provide access to affordable higher education for all who seek it, preparing students to compete and excel in today’s global workplace.